We are all born with free will to choose. Our inalienable individual rights cannot be taken away, only surrendered. They can imprison or kill you as a consequence. But life is short, eternity lasts forever. Live free or die is not just a slogan, it is a choice we all make as individuals each day. Choose wisely. That is how freedom is won.
Too many people today are “the walking dead” living in fear and clinging to material things of this world they can’t take with them, only seeing life as cradle till death, not knowing those things own them not the other way around. We are spiritual beings having a human experience, one day at a time. Live each day like it is all you have, because it is.
“Momento Mori means remember you will die. The stoic always keeps death in mind because it is inevitable. We all return to the source from which we come and recognize the value by making the best use of the limited time we have.” But one might use that reasoning to justify selfishness, to your point: hedonism. Otherwise intelligent people do it all the time.
Reminds me of “Democracy In America” by Alexis de Tocqueville. Sent to find out why Democracy in the Republic was working there but not in France. His discovery? Self interest rightly understood vs selfishness. To ignore that simple truth is the height of ignorance, yet as common as mud. Today in America we see history repeating itself.
Amen, when you choose to live free for eternity, fear of death loses its grip on you, and then you truly experience life each day rather than being “the walking dead”.
One must develop a habit of self-discipline and careful due diligence in assessing the possible effects on others' rights BEFORE making a decision and acting on it, AND denying one's choices if it is discovered that such conduct WILL violate others' rights, yes?
This also means that if one fails to do such due diligence, and one's chosen action HAS violated others' rights, those harmed have a right to recompense, right?
When I ask younger libertarians these questions, I get blank stares! There's only ONE moral dictum, as stated in this article, to govern libertarian choices of actions, and these young adherents have never considered the ramifications of such? Yep. And they don't even WANT to discuss it! Sad indeed.
I am not fully sure if I understand this comment correctly, but if I do: Yes, if somebody violates my rights, it is my right to be reimbursed and/or react with an appropriate retaliation.
In my youth, I used to hang out with very committed Libertarians, in the 70s. Many were airline pilots & firefighters. They were well-read, and knew WHY they believed what they did. They talked about the "flesh on the bone" of this singular moral dictum, and what it required of them.
Today's young Libertarians are very shallow. They don't think about doing any due diligence ahead of a decision, or damaging consequences to others afterwards. None of the ones I've talked to.
They care about doing what THEY want, and that's all. None have read Hazlitt, Rothbard, von Misis, etc. They're ignorant and shallow, not serious people.
That's all. Nice ideology, but not practical, and IMO, not moral. That's all. You explained it in a nice way, tho.
Honest discussion with educated individuals (agreeing as well as disagreeing) is a great way to learn. Unfortunately, knowing what one talks about doesn't seem to be very prevalent (agreed).
Excellent read even the second time , good job my friend !
Thank you, I appreciate it!
We are all born with free will to choose. Our inalienable individual rights cannot be taken away, only surrendered. They can imprison or kill you as a consequence. But life is short, eternity lasts forever. Live free or die is not just a slogan, it is a choice we all make as individuals each day. Choose wisely. That is how freedom is won.
“I'd rather die on my feet, than live on my knees."—Emiliano Zapata
Too many people today are “the walking dead” living in fear and clinging to material things of this world they can’t take with them, only seeing life as cradle till death, not knowing those things own them not the other way around. We are spiritual beings having a human experience, one day at a time. Live each day like it is all you have, because it is.
Hedonism really is running rampant. Individuals as well as society could really profit from a lower time preference,
Lower time preference? What do you mean?
Detailed explanation here: https://libertarianthinker.substack.com/p/balancing-now-and-forevertime-preference
..., but in short: low time preference = thinking long term.
“Momento Mori means remember you will die. The stoic always keeps death in mind because it is inevitable. We all return to the source from which we come and recognize the value by making the best use of the limited time we have.” But one might use that reasoning to justify selfishness, to your point: hedonism. Otherwise intelligent people do it all the time.
Reminds me of “Democracy In America” by Alexis de Tocqueville. Sent to find out why Democracy in the Republic was working there but not in France. His discovery? Self interest rightly understood vs selfishness. To ignore that simple truth is the height of ignorance, yet as common as mud. Today in America we see history repeating itself.
Amen, when you choose to live free for eternity, fear of death loses its grip on you, and then you truly experience life each day rather than being “the walking dead”.
One must develop a habit of self-discipline and careful due diligence in assessing the possible effects on others' rights BEFORE making a decision and acting on it, AND denying one's choices if it is discovered that such conduct WILL violate others' rights, yes?
This also means that if one fails to do such due diligence, and one's chosen action HAS violated others' rights, those harmed have a right to recompense, right?
When I ask younger libertarians these questions, I get blank stares! There's only ONE moral dictum, as stated in this article, to govern libertarian choices of actions, and these young adherents have never considered the ramifications of such? Yep. And they don't even WANT to discuss it! Sad indeed.
Maybe just speak plain English, you sound like an attorney.
If someone violates my rights, I am allowed to use appropriate force against him to regain the violated liberty.
I am not fully sure if I understand this comment correctly, but if I do: Yes, if somebody violates my rights, it is my right to be reimbursed and/or react with an appropriate retaliation.
In my youth, I used to hang out with very committed Libertarians, in the 70s. Many were airline pilots & firefighters. They were well-read, and knew WHY they believed what they did. They talked about the "flesh on the bone" of this singular moral dictum, and what it required of them.
Today's young Libertarians are very shallow. They don't think about doing any due diligence ahead of a decision, or damaging consequences to others afterwards. None of the ones I've talked to.
They care about doing what THEY want, and that's all. None have read Hazlitt, Rothbard, von Misis, etc. They're ignorant and shallow, not serious people.
That's all. Nice ideology, but not practical, and IMO, not moral. That's all. You explained it in a nice way, tho.
Thank you!
Honest discussion with educated individuals (agreeing as well as disagreeing) is a great way to learn. Unfortunately, knowing what one talks about doesn't seem to be very prevalent (agreed).